Collecting Art by Deb Bartos

n addition to creating art, I have slowly and affordably collected art from other artists over the past 20 years. It has been a wonderful thing to do and every piece tells a story. I’ve collected work that is practical. These items include a hand-blown vase to hold my flowers, a welded sculpture to hold my keys, soap dishes to hold my soap, stained glass nightlights, jewelry and scarves, clothing to wear, you get the idea. It sneaks in everywhere. William Morris said “Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful.” When I have been able to combine the two, it’s even better.

I also have collected paintings, which seems redundant, as I am a painter, and have my own work stacked up all over my house as well as taking up most of my wall space. This has been the hardest to justify, however, the most enjoyable. I have collected 2-dimensional work from my travels as souvenirs and from other painters whose work I have known and admired. I enjoy my collector’s wall every day. I remember the qualities I loved about the work when I bought it and years later, still do.

It is well said that beauty is consolation in sorrow and affirmation in joy. Beautiful art touches our souls. A quote from an art collector I recently read an article on is “the art on our walls is a mirror of our lives.” This is true, in every private and corporate collection I have ever seen. If you purchase original art you love, it speaks about your taste as well as the artist. It affirms their talent and vision and allows them to continue painting. This is a wonderful thing to do. It allows art to continue and affirms that art matters. Thank you to my collectors. I appreciate you each and every one.